Difference between revisions of "Artifact weapon"

From NetHackWiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(→‎Narrow Weapons)
m (there's a lot that needs to be done but let's settle for a pothole)
 
(75 intermediate revisions by 13 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
{{tocright}}
 
{{tocright}}
−
An '''[[artifact]] weapon''' is a rare unique [[weapon]], often with special properties. It may be acquired by [[sacrifice]], by finding in a [[bones file]], by finding in the dungeon, by [[wish]]ing for one, or at the end of a [[quest]]. [[Excalibur]] may be acquired by dipping an ordinary long sword, provided you are lawful and level 5 and it hasn't already been generated. Excalibur, [[Vorpal Blade]] and [[Stormbringer]] may be acquired by [[pray]]ing with very good [[Luck]]; this is known as [[crowning]].
+
In ''[[NetHack]]'', an '''artifact weapon''' is an [[artifact]] whose [[base item]] is a rare [[weapon]] with special properties, and is often unique. It may be acquired by [[sacrifice]], by finding in a [[bones file]], by finding in the dungeon, by [[wish]]ing for one, or at the end of a [[quest]]. [[Excalibur]] may be acquired by dipping an ordinary long sword, provided you are lawful and level 5 and it hasn't already been generated. Excalibur, [[Vorpal Blade]] and [[Stormbringer]] may be acquired by [[pray]]ing with very good [[Luck]]; this is known as [[crowning]].
  
 
An artifact weapon resists being wielded as a second weapon when #[[twoweapon]]ing.{{refsrc|src/wield.c|615|version=NetHack 3.6.1}}
 
An artifact weapon resists being wielded as a second weapon when #[[twoweapon]]ing.{{refsrc|src/wield.c|615|version=NetHack 3.6.1}}
Line 6: Line 6:
 
Any artifact weapon given to you by your [[god]] will be noncursed and erodeproof, and you will be unrestricted{{refsrc|src/weapon.c|1154|version=NetHack 3.6.1}} in the appropriate weapon skill if necessary. Certain roles are guaranteed to receive a particular weapon as their first gift<ref>[[artilist.h#line43]] and following</ref>: [[Valkyrie]]s receive [[Mjollnir]], [[Barbarian]]s receive [[Cleaver]], [[Wizard]]s receive [[Magicbane]], and [[Samurai]] receive [[Snickersnee]].
 
Any artifact weapon given to you by your [[god]] will be noncursed and erodeproof, and you will be unrestricted{{refsrc|src/weapon.c|1154|version=NetHack 3.6.1}} in the appropriate weapon skill if necessary. Certain roles are guaranteed to receive a particular weapon as their first gift<ref>[[artilist.h#line43]] and following</ref>: [[Valkyrie]]s receive [[Mjollnir]], [[Barbarian]]s receive [[Cleaver]], [[Wizard]]s receive [[Magicbane]], and [[Samurai]] receive [[Snickersnee]].
  
−
[[Sunsword]] and [[Demonbane]] might be created in the possession of a [[Angelic being|humanoid angelic creature]]; [[Archon]]s are sure to be generated with one. [[Sting]] and [[Orcrist]] may be created by #name'ing an ordinary [[elven dagger]] or [[elven broadsword]].
+
[[Sunsword]] and [[Demonbane]] may be created in the possession of a [[Angelic being|humanoid angelic creature]]; [[Archon]]s are sure to be generated with one. [[Sting]] and [[Orcrist]] may be created by [[Name|naming]] an ordinary [[elven dagger]] or [[elven broadsword]].
  
−
Like all other objects, you may wish for an artifact weapon. There are some caveats:
+
You can wish for an artifact weapon, but success is not always guaranteed. See [[Wish#Artifact wishing|Artifact wishing]] for more details.
−
* If two or more artifacts have already been created, there is a chance that wishing for another will fail.
 
−
* You cannot wish for your own [[quest artifact]], and wishing for another class's quest artifact is only useful if it is of the same alignment as you - otherwise you will be unable to pick it up. If it is of your [[alignment]], you can use it but it will [[Artifact blast|blast]] you.
 
−
* More generally, an artifact of the wrong alignment has a chance of [[Artifact blast|blasting]] you every time you attempt to pick it up or wield it. Being blasted is not dangerous unless you are low-level (it only causes a small amount of damage) but it prevents you from picking the item up if it is intelligent. (To be precise, damage is 4d10 if the artifact is intelligent and 4d4 if not intelligent.)
 
−
 
 
−
==''What is the Best Artifact Weapon?''==
 
−
 
 
−
Artifact weapons' effectiveness depend on a number of factors including the player's alignment, the stage of the game (early middle, or late game) and the skills that particular role has access to, their guaranteed sacrifice gift, their quest artifact and so forth. Many artifact weapons have specific drawbacks in certain situations.
 
−
 
 
−
For instance, Greyswandir is a weapon which when fully enchanted does the most amount of damage in the game as well as 1d20 silver damage to late game demons. Mjollnir does the most amount of damage of any weapon unenchanted and thus greatly increases damage output in the early game. Magicbane has an array of status effects on monsters, allowing extra hits and time for the player to regroup, use tactics, or run away. It also has ability to engrave semi permanent Elbereth in one turn, and is the only sacrifice gift that conveys magic resistance. Excalibur is easy to get by dipping a longsword, deals double the damage of a normal sword on each hit and aids in searching which can detect dangerous traps (such as polytraps).
 
−
 
 
−
However, each of these weapons does have specific technical drawbacks. For instance, it is difficult to kill the riders with Magicbane because of its low damage.  Stormbringer is very ineffective in the Valley of the Dead and so on. Check each artifact entry or the table for specific drawbacks.
 
−
 
 
−
== In General: Universal, Broad, and Narrow ==
 
−
 
 
−
Obtaining a good artifact weapon is a central and important strategem in nethack. If it's possible to get a powerful artifact weapon, the player should often try to obtain it, even risking death to get it, provided it is one of the stronger artifact weapons.
 
−
 
 
−
Many artifact weapons will double the player's damage output over time. Some artifacts outright do double the damage of a normal weapon of its type to all targets on every hit. Most have a bonus to hit which also increases damage output over time.
 
−
 
 
−
Artifact Weapons can be placed into three categories:  ''Universal'', ''Broad'', and ''Narrow''. ''Universal'' Artifact weapons such as Excalibur, deal their extra damage to all opponents. ''Broad'' weapons, such as Mjollnir and Frostbrand deal extra damage to all opponents EXCEPT those who are resistant to certain types of damage: shock and cold, respectively. ''Narrow'' Artifact Weapons only deal extra damage to specific monster types. For instance, Sunsword only deals extra damage to Undead and Demonbane only deals extra damage to certain demons.
 
−
 
 
−
In the early game very few monsters are resistant to these broad weapons, and most of the most common killers in Nethack (ants, bees, soldiers, orcs, elves, leucrotta, mumak, etc) are not resistant to fire/shock/frost/level drain. For this reason, broad weapons can almost be considered to be universal weapons, at least in the early game.
 
−
 
 
−
For strategic purposes, obviously obtaining a weapon which does the most amount of damage to the most amount of monsters is desirable, but depending on your game, may not be possible because of your quest artifact, alignment, number of artifacts in the game so far (which prevents wishing) artifacts on your sacrifice list, and your crowning gift.
 
−
 
 
−
== Damage output Over Time ==
 
−
 
 
−
Some artifact weapons double a player's damage output over time as compared to a normal weapon. This is because of the +1d5 bonus as well as that they do extra damage to all targets (universally) or most targets (broadly). Damage output over time is also increased because of other special attributes of the weapon (for instance Cleaver hitting more than one target at a time, or Magicbane stunning a monster and allowing for subsequent unanswered hits on a monster).
 
−
 
 
−
Some artifact weapons in Nethack are broad in the amount of damage they deal, meaning that they deal extra damage to most (about 90% or higher) monsters but are ineffective (doing only regular damage) to a few. Firebrand, Frost Brand, Mjollnir, The Scepter of Might, The Staff of Aesculapius, and Stormbringer are examples. These weapons don't deal their extra damage to ALL monsters, but do to 90% or more monsters. As such these weapons approach universal damage and approach doubling damage over time in the early game, as very few monsters in the early game have resistances.
 
−
 
 
−
Still, weapons can have drawbacks such as someone on the Valley of the Dead using Stormbringer (most Undead are immune to it's life drain) or using mjollnir on the plane of Air (as most vortexes are immune to it's shock).
 
−
 
 
−
== Weapon Drawbacks ==
 
−
 
 
−
Some Weapons come with a drawback of destroying items. Mjollnir can, in rare circumstances destroy wands and rings held by opponents. Frost brand can freeze potions, and Firebrand can both boil potions and burn up scrolls. However, the instance of this happening is rare, and further, it happening and affecting a valuable object is also rare. Still, many players prefer to use other artifact weapons that don't destroy items in their game.
 
−
 
 
−
The survival rate of playing with these weapons vs. a normal weapon is so extreme that the drawback is negligible. However, a player (for instance) such as a Lawful Valkyrie can get guaranteed Mjollnir by sacrificing and guaranteed Excalibur by dipping, using Excalibur to avoid destroying items and Mjollnir to avoid angering demons. Lawfuls can all dip for Excalibur making it a favorite over item destroying ''Broad'' weapons.
 
−
 
 
−
== Valuable property ==
 
−
 
 
−
Though narrow weapons are mostly shunned, several have a special aspect which players need or want to use. Sunsword, though only doing double damage narrowly to undead, is a permanent light source. When blessed it is equivalent to a magic lamp. A magic lamp's visibility is considered so useful, that players will often not rub it even to get a wish, preferring the utility of visibility. Visibility allows a player to run away from dangerous monsters, to hit with spells, missile weapons and wands from a distance, as well as use tactics many turns before engaging in melee. As such Sunsword may be valued for this special property rather than it's damage bonus.
 
−
 
 
−
Dragonbane, while only narrowly affecting dragons with it's extra damage, also confers reflection and might be used for this property until another source of reflection can be found.
 
−
 
 
−
== Strategy ==
 
−
 
 
−
All players should try and obtain a powerful artifact weapon as soon as possible. This becomes more crucial the weaker the physical stats of the role chosen as many artifact weapons can double damage output and compensate for To Hit deficits. Altar camping, that is, continual sacrificing at an altar, is the most common way to do this. Characters can eat corpses, temporarily abandon their pet (thereby having more food), pray when weak to get nutrition from prayer, buy the food from a random store or minetown shop or visit the first few levels of Sokobon to stock up on food. Stocking up on food is harder with a pet present that eats corpses.
 
−
 
 
−
It is difficult to get an artifact weapon at an altar on dungeon level one or two as the monsters will be very low level. You can also not get a sacrifice gift until player level 3.  However, it is not at necessary to complete Mine's end or Sokobon before trying to sacrifice for an artifact weapons.
 
−
 
 
−
Players should map out their artifact weapon strategy by seeing what artifact weapons they can get by sacrificing, by dipping a long-sword (if lawful), by wishing, or on the quest. Lawfuls and Neutrals have a greater than 50% chance of getting a weapon that doubles damage output at least for the early game, which is when this is most important. Four classes (Valkyrie, Wizard, Barbarian, Samurai) have guaranteed sacrifice gifts which double damage output over time and should sacrifice instead of using an early wish on an artifact. Early wishes from quaffing from fountains, from sitting on thrones or from magic lamps should be used for weapons that at a minimum double damage output.
 
−
 
 
−
=Neutrals and Lawfuls=
 
−
 
 
−
Neutrals and Lawfuls can wish for Magicbane and the Scepter of Might respectively which double damage output AND provide magic resistance. Neutrals may want to sacrifice for an artifact weapon instead, hoping to get Magicbane, but Magicbane is only guaranteed to Wizards. Other Neutral gifts are also good, with an above average chance of getting an artifact that doubles their damage output (over time) in the early game.
 
−
 
 
−
Two weapons, Vorpal Blade and Sunsword can be first sacrifice gifts. Though not doubling damage output over time, many players can see these as viable weapons, as Vorpal sometimes insta-kills and Sunsword sheds light which increases the players ability to react to dangerous monsters.
 
−
 
 
−
== Crowning ==
 
−
 
 
−
Crowning requires extremely good luck, which is usually only possible by obtaining the Luckstone at mines end, blessing it, and sacrificing many times or throwing identified gems at co-aligned unicorns. Thus, Crowning artifact weapon gifts are very difficult (but not impossible) to get early in the game.
 
−
 
 
−
Lawful Crowning will simply turn a wielded longsword into Excalibur (which can be accomplished by dipping anyway, though it does avoid the natural risks of dipping an item in a fountain). 
 
−
 
 
−
Neutral Crowning provides Vorpal Blade, which isn't as strong as many other neutral sacrifice gifts, but is at least guaranteed if the player is getting an unfortunate string of narrow artifacts (see "second sacrifice" below)
 
−
 
 
−
Chaotic Crowning at least guarantees Stormbringer, which is a ''broad'' damage doubling over time weapon, in addition to the sword adding to your hit points on successful hits.  
 
−
 
 
−
== Second Sacrifice ==
 
−
 
 
−
If the first sacrifice gift is a ''narrow weapon'', unfortunately, the second sacrifice gift may also be a ''narrow'' weapon. This is because the "Unaligned Gifts" are now a possibility which is a list that has many narrow weapons on it: Werebane, Dragonbane, Trollsbane, and Ogresmasher, while only unlocking two broad (damage doubling over time) weapons: Frostbrand and Firebrand.
 
−
 
 
−
== Chaotics ==
 
−
 
 
−
Elves can name Sting and Orcrist in order to force Stormbringer to be their first sacrifice gift. Sacrificing as a chaotic without naming both artifacts and hoping to get Stormbringer on the first sacrifice can be perilous. Chaotic Gods are very hard to mollify or to please, and getting several artifacts from sacrificing to a Chaotic God can be difficult. Note that naming Sting and Orcrist will make wishing for artifacts later an uncertain proposition. However, all Chaotics can be crowned with Stormbringer.
 
−
 
 
−
Strategically, Chaotic Humans and Orcs may want to wish for artifacts exclusively rather than sacrificing for them (Chaotic Humans and Orcs have at best a 50% chance at a good artifact, and only if they can find an elven dagger and an elven broadsword to name as Orcrist and Sting). Thus an early wish may be on an unaligned artifact weapon such as Frost Brand or for an artifact with which they can take the blast damage such as magicbane.
 
−
 
 
−
== Alternatives to Artifact Weapons ==
 
−
 
 
−
If an artifact weapon cannot be found because of lack of a viable altar, a weapon enchanted to +6 or +7 will do as much damage in most cases as an un-enchanted artifact weapon. Remember that Elven Weapons can be enchanted even higher, to +9, this includes elvish spear, elvish dagger, and elvish broadsword which are instantly recognizable by their "runed" appearance.
 
−
 
 
−
For those good at missile weapons, they may want to enchant a whole stack of missile weapons. This is particularly effective for daggers, as you can enchant a stack of 10-15 daggers all at once to +7, then name one differently and use it as a melee weapon, keeping the others in your quiver. This doubles your melee AND missile weapon damage. For those that have multishot with missile weapons, a stack of blessed +6 or +7 daggers can easily take down ANYTHING, even the riders themselves (you will want to pick up the daggers though, which again, takes turns and valuable time away on Astral). Enchanted daggers are a viable alternative to an artifact weapon for many classes for this reason, and are great for wizards, rangers, rogues, and healers
 
−
 
 
−
Tourists can enchant a unicorn horn to +7. Unicorn horns do 1d12 and are immune to rust or corrosion, elves can enchant their starting dagger to +9 (or collect a stack of elven daggers). Archaeologists can enchant a Dwarven Mattock to +7 for massive damage. Priests can simply enchant their mace to +7 and rustproof their mace, they can get expert in mace, which will be fine up to the castle.
 
−
 
 
−
Chaotics may even wait to get to the castle wand before sacrificing or wishing for an artifact, instead enchanting up to +9 an Elven Runesword. The Runesword's good base damage compares well with other artifact weapons, and also trains broadsword skill in preparation for Stormbringer. Chaotic Rangers and Chaotic Rogues may wish to enchant up a stack of daggers to +7 or a stack of elven daggers to +9 to use as a substitute for an artifact weapon. Monks can charge up rings of Increase damage to do artifact level damage with their fists, or use silver rings while punching do do extra silver damage to undead and demons.
 
−
 
 
−
== Other Altars ==
 
−
 
 
−
If the minetown altar doesn't match your alignment it can still be converted so that you can get an artifact weapon. Doing so is dangerous but not impossible. Walls of the temple may be destroyed by monsters naturally (such as dwarves with a mattock). Attacking the priest while standing outside its walls will prevent you from being smited by the God of the temple. Highly enchanted missile weapons, magic missile, spells and powerful attack wands can then be shot at the priest. The priest will still summon insects and may use wands or cast spells at you but will likely not leave the temple. Scrolls of earth (guaranteed in Sokobon) can hedge the priest so that he cannot melee you, or hedge him so that he's standing in front of the altar's entrance, and you will not be smited for converting the altar (the priest can still cast spells/wands and summon insects).  Enough scrolls of earth properly used can even completely trap the priest, allowing you to convert the altar and the insects he summon become corpses for you to sacrifice to get an artifact weapon. Obviously this strategy is more successful with good AC, reflection, magic resistance and powerful missile weapons wands or spells. Note also that attacking the priest will remove protection that you've bought and the next guaranteed priest who you can buy protection from is in the Valley of the Dead. Some quests do have guaranteed priests you can donate to.
 
−
 
 
−
Altars, if they don't appear in the dungeon, may be present in the quests of various roles. The knight quest locate level has a neutral temple, the healer quest locate level has a chaotic temple, the caveman quest home level a co-aligned one. The temple in the valley of the dead can be converted, but remember to kill the priest their first standing outside the temple. Remember that this will also remove protection (if you've already bought it). Protection could then be re-bought from the minetown priest. These altars can be used to obtain an artifact weapon.
 
  
 
== List of artifact weapons ==
 
== List of artifact weapons ==
Line 115: Line 22:
 
! rowspan="2" | [[Intelligent_artifact|Intelligent]]
 
! rowspan="2" | [[Intelligent_artifact|Intelligent]]
 
! colspan="3" class="unsortable" | Special properties
 
! colspan="3" class="unsortable" | Special properties
−
! colspan="2" class="unsortable" | Mean Damage
+
! colspan="2" class="unsortable" | Mean damage at +7
 
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Obtaining
 
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Obtaining
 
|-
 
|-
Line 140: Line 47:
 
| No
 
| No
 
|
 
|
−
| +d5 to-hit & x2 damage to major [[demon]]s.  Prevents [[demon gating]].
+
| +d5 to-hit & x2 damage to [[major demon]]s.  Prevents [[demon gating]].
 
|
 
|
 
| 23 (11.5)
 
| 23 (11.5)
Line 282: Line 189:
 
| [[lawful]]
 
| [[lawful]]
 
| Yes
 
| Yes
−
| [[Magic resistance]]
+
|
−
| +d5 to-hit & x2 damage to cross-aligned monsters.
+
| +d5 to-hit & x2 damage to cross-aligned monsters.  [[Magic resistance]].
 
| [[Conflict]].
 
| [[Conflict]].
 
| 23 (11.5)
 
| 23 (11.5)
Line 388: Line 295:
 
|
 
|
 
|}
 
|}
 +
 +
==Strategy==
 +
It is useful to obtain an artifact weapon that provides a bonus against most or all enemies, such as [[Excalibur]], early in the game. However, [[wish]]ing for one may not succeed if artifacts have been generated already (perhaps without your knowledge), and uses a valuable wish which normally could be used to considerably improve your defenses.
 +
===Selection===
 +
Because of the way that the odds of getting an artifact from a [[sacrifice]] reduce as more artifacts are generated, if you aren't going to risk [[wish]]ing for a specific artifact, artifact selection tends to be about finding something that's good enough, not reviewing the entire list and making a selection in advance.
 +
 +
Some artifact weapons, such as [[Giantslayer]], only give a bonus against a small subset of monsters. These are nigh-useless; in practice by the time you see large numbers of giants, you'll have a better option. Receiving one as a sacrifice gift does unrestrict the relevant [[skill]], which can be useful if you have a better artifact of the same type. Many variants try to improve artifacts of this type.
 +
 +
A two-handed weapon means that you cannot use a [[shield]], and in the late game it can become cursed, requiring you to #tip an uncursing item out of your bag to regain use of your hands.
 +
 +
An [[Intelligent_artifact|intelligent]] cross-aligned quest artifact is unusable; an intelligent [[cross-aligned]] non-quest artifact (Excalibur or Stormbringer) is quite [[Alignment#Artifact_alignment|annoying]] and dangerous to use, while an unintelligent cross-aligned artifact is generally usable, albeit still potentially dangerous.
 +
 +
[[Cleaver]] and [[Stormbringer]] are both dangerous to use around pets and peacefuls you don't want to anger.
 +
 +
[[Mjollnir]], [[Fire Brand]], and [[Frost Brand]] can destroy items that monsters are carrying. All things being equal, you would rather have those items for yourself, but all three of these weapons are also powerful.
 +
 +
Some artifact weapons provide a useful resistance or other ability. For example, [[Stormbringer]]'s level drain resistance means that you might wield it to clear the [[Valley of the Dead]] - it does no bonus damage to undead, but it essentially eliminates any threat they pose. [[Sunsword]] only deals bonus damage to undead, but can be useful as a light source.
 +
 +
Some artifact weapons give a significant bonus against most or all targets. This is obviously useful; it is generally possible in the former case to obtain a backup weapon to be swapped to against resistant targets. Especially noteworthy is Grayswandir, with double damage against everything and additional damage to targets harmed by silver.
 +
 +
[[Fire Brand]], [[Frost Brand]], [[Mjollnir]], [[Stormbringer]], [[Vorpal Blade]], the [[Sceptre of Might]], and the [[Staff of Aesculapius]] give a bonus against most targets; the latter two are quest artifacts. [[Cleaver]], [[Excalibur]], [[Magicbane]], [[Snickersnee]], [[Grayswandir]], and one quest artifact, the [[Tsurugi of Muramasa]], give a bonus against all targets.
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
Line 396: Line 324:
 
*[[Artifact]]
 
*[[Artifact]]
 
*[[SLASH'EM Artifact weapons]]
 
*[[SLASH'EM Artifact weapons]]
 +
*[[UnNetHack#Artifacts|UnNetHack Artifacts]]
 +
 
{{nethack-361}}
 
{{nethack-361}}

Latest revision as of 13:03, 13 February 2024

In NetHack, an artifact weapon is an artifact whose base item is a rare weapon with special properties, and is often unique. It may be acquired by sacrifice, by finding in a bones file, by finding in the dungeon, by wishing for one, or at the end of a quest. Excalibur may be acquired by dipping an ordinary long sword, provided you are lawful and level 5 and it hasn't already been generated. Excalibur, Vorpal Blade and Stormbringer may be acquired by praying with very good Luck; this is known as crowning.

An artifact weapon resists being wielded as a second weapon when #twoweaponing.[1]

Any artifact weapon given to you by your god will be noncursed and erodeproof, and you will be unrestricted[2] in the appropriate weapon skill if necessary. Certain roles are guaranteed to receive a particular weapon as their first gift[3]: Valkyries receive Mjollnir, Barbarians receive Cleaver, Wizards receive Magicbane, and Samurai receive Snickersnee.

Sunsword and Demonbane may be created in the possession of a humanoid angelic creature; Archons are sure to be generated with one. Sting and Orcrist may be created by naming an ordinary elven dagger or elven broadsword.

You can wish for an artifact weapon, but success is not always guaranteed. See Artifact wishing for more details.

List of artifact weapons

See Source:artilist.h, Source:artifact.c or the article for each artifact for more details.

Mean damage is calculated before any strength, skill, and blessed bonuses. Silver damage is indicated in italics. Assumes weapon enchanted to +7. Assumes monster is susceptible to special bonuses and includes them (i.e. double damage, +damage bonuses, and extra damage from a level draining attack) with the damage to resistant monsters in parentheses, if applicable.

Artifact name Base item type Alignment[4] Intelligent Special properties Mean damage at +7 Obtaining
Carried Wielded Invoked vs. Small vs. Large
Cleaver battle-axe (two-headed axe) neutral No +d3 to-hit & +d6 damage. Attacks in an arc. 17.5 19 First sacrifice gift for Barbarians.
Demonbane long sword lawful No +d5 to-hit & x2 damage to major demons. Prevents demon gating. 23 (11.5) 27 (13.5) May be given to a new angelic being.
Dragonbane broadsword unaligned No +d5 to-hit & x2 damage to dragons. Reflection. 24 (12) 23 (11.5)
Excalibur long sword lawful Yes +d5 to-hit & +d10 damage. Drain resistance. Searching. Hostile demon princes. Monster tracking. 17 19 May be produced for lawful adventurers at fountains. Lawful crowning gift.
Fire Brand long sword unaligned No +d5 to-hit & x2 damage to non-fire-resistant monsters. Fire resistance. 23 (11.5) 27 (13.5)
Frost Brand long sword unaligned No +d5 to-hit & x2 damage to non-cold-resistant monsters. Cold resistance. 23 (11.5) 27 (13.5)
Giantslayer long sword neutral No +d5 to-hit & x2 damage to giants. 23 (11.5) 27 (13.5)
Grayswandir silver saber lawful No +d5 to-hit & x2 damage. Protection against hallucination. 23+10.5 23+10.5
Grimtooth orcish dagger (crude dagger) chaotic No +d2 to-hit & +d6 damage. Warning of elves. 12.5 12.5
The Longbow of Diana bow chaotic Yes Telepathy. +d5 to-hit. Reflection. Creates arrows. arrow damage arrow damage Quest artifact of Rangers.
Magicbane athame neutral No +d3 to-hit. Special damage. Magic resistance. Protects against cursing. 13.40 (10.5)[5] 12.90 (10)[5] First sacrifice gift for Wizards.
Mjollnir war hammer neutral No +d5 to-hit & +d24 damage to non-shock-resistant monsters. Can return when thrown. 23 (10.5) 22 (9.5) First sacrifice gift for Valkyries.
Ogresmasher war hammer unaligned No +d5 to-hit & x2 damage to ogres. Increases constitution to 25. 21 (10.5) 19 (9.5)
Orcrist elven broadsword (runed broadsword) chaotic No +d5 to-hit & x2 damage to orcs. Warning of orcs. 26 (13) 23 (11.5) May be produced by naming an ordinary elven broadsword Orcrist.
The Sceptre of Might mace lawful Yes +d5 to-hit & x2 damage to cross-aligned monsters. Magic resistance. Conflict. 23 (11.5) 21 (10.5) Quest artifact of Cavepeople.
Snickersnee katana (samurai sword) lawful No +d8 damage. 17 18 First sacrifice gift for Samurai.
The Staff of Aesculapius quarterstaff (staff) neutral Yes x2 damage & level drain to non-drain-resistant monsters (the draining itself causes an addition 1d8 damage to both current and max hp, and restores half that to your current hp, but this damage is NOT doubled.) Hungerless regeneration. Drain resistance. Healing, cures sickness, blindness, & sliming. 25.5 (10.5) 25.5 (10.5) Quest artifact of Healers.
Sting elven dagger (runed dagger) chaotic No +d5 to-hit & x2 damage to orcs. Warning of orcs. Cuts through webs. 20 (10) 18 (9) May be produced by naming an ordinary elven dagger Sting.
Stormbringer runesword chaotic Yes +d5 to-hit, +d2 damage & level drain to non-drain-resistant monsters (the draining itself causes an addition 1d8 damage to both current and max hp, and restores half that to your current hp.) Drain resistance. Bloodthirsty. 18 (12) 17.5 (11.5) Chaotic crowning gift.
Sunsword long sword lawful No +d5 to-hit & x2 damage to undead. Light. Protection from light-based blinding. 23 (11.5) 27 (13.5) May be given to a new angelic being.
Trollsbane morning star unaligned No +d5 to-hit & x2 damage to trolls. Prevents trolls from reviving. 24 (12) 23 (11.5)
The Tsurugi of Muramasa tsurugi (long samurai sword) lawful Yes Luck +d8 damage. 5% chance of double damage or instakill via bisection, depending on the size. instakill (20) [6] 38.85 (19.425) Quest artifact for Samurai.
Vorpal Blade long sword neutral No +d5 to-hit & +1 damage. 5% chance of beheading monsters with heads. Instantly kills jabberwocks. instakill(12.5)[6] instakill(14.5)[6] Neutral crowning gift.
Werebane silver saber unaligned No +d5 to-hit & x2 damage to werecreatures. Protects against lycanthropy attack. 23+10.5 (11.5+10.5) 23+10.5 (11.5+10.5)

Strategy

It is useful to obtain an artifact weapon that provides a bonus against most or all enemies, such as Excalibur, early in the game. However, wishing for one may not succeed if artifacts have been generated already (perhaps without your knowledge), and uses a valuable wish which normally could be used to considerably improve your defenses.

Selection

Because of the way that the odds of getting an artifact from a sacrifice reduce as more artifacts are generated, if you aren't going to risk wishing for a specific artifact, artifact selection tends to be about finding something that's good enough, not reviewing the entire list and making a selection in advance.

Some artifact weapons, such as Giantslayer, only give a bonus against a small subset of monsters. These are nigh-useless; in practice by the time you see large numbers of giants, you'll have a better option. Receiving one as a sacrifice gift does unrestrict the relevant skill, which can be useful if you have a better artifact of the same type. Many variants try to improve artifacts of this type.

A two-handed weapon means that you cannot use a shield, and in the late game it can become cursed, requiring you to #tip an uncursing item out of your bag to regain use of your hands.

An intelligent cross-aligned quest artifact is unusable; an intelligent cross-aligned non-quest artifact (Excalibur or Stormbringer) is quite annoying and dangerous to use, while an unintelligent cross-aligned artifact is generally usable, albeit still potentially dangerous.

Cleaver and Stormbringer are both dangerous to use around pets and peacefuls you don't want to anger.

Mjollnir, Fire Brand, and Frost Brand can destroy items that monsters are carrying. All things being equal, you would rather have those items for yourself, but all three of these weapons are also powerful.

Some artifact weapons provide a useful resistance or other ability. For example, Stormbringer's level drain resistance means that you might wield it to clear the Valley of the Dead - it does no bonus damage to undead, but it essentially eliminates any threat they pose. Sunsword only deals bonus damage to undead, but can be useful as a light source.

Some artifact weapons give a significant bonus against most or all targets. This is obviously useful; it is generally possible in the former case to obtain a backup weapon to be swapped to against resistant targets. Especially noteworthy is Grayswandir, with double damage against everything and additional damage to targets harmed by silver.

Fire Brand, Frost Brand, Mjollnir, Stormbringer, Vorpal Blade, the Sceptre of Might, and the Staff of Aesculapius give a bonus against most targets; the latter two are quest artifacts. Cleaver, Excalibur, Magicbane, Snickersnee, Grayswandir, and one quest artifact, the Tsurugi of Muramasa, give a bonus against all targets.

References

  1. ↑ src/wield.c in NetHack 3.6.1, line 615
  2. ↑ src/weapon.c in NetHack 3.6.1, line 1154
  3. ↑ artilist.h#line43 and following
  4. ↑ The hero's quest artifact and any guaranteed sacrifice gifts are adjusted to the hero's starting alignment. For example, for a wizard who starts chaotic, Magicbane and The Eye of the Aethiopica are generated chaotic. See Source:Artifact.c#line54.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 For +2 Magicbane, mean 9.48 (6.57) vs. small and 8.98 (6.07) vs. large
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Plus 5% chance of an instakill.

See also


This page may need to be updated for the current version of NetHack.

It may contain text specific to NetHack 3.6.1. Information on this page may be out of date.

Editors: After reviewing this page and making necessary edits, please change the {{nethack-361}} tag to the current version's tag or {{noversion}} as appropriate.

Retrieved from "https://nethackwiki.com/index.php?title=Artifact_weapon&oldid=162244"